While Aunt Rody was taking her nap that afternoon Jean Draper knocked on the open kitchen door. Judith and Aunt Affy were washing dishes together at the kitchen sink; Judith gave a cry of pleased surprise at the sound of the knock and the vision of the girl in the doorway.
“O, Jean, I wished for you,” she said, with the longing for young companionship in her heart.
“And I wanted you. I am going to see Miss Marion on a secret errand, and I can’t do it without you. Can you spare her, Miss Affy?”
“If her head will let her go,” began Miss Affy, doubtfully.
“Oh, that’s well,” cried Judith, joyfully, “but what will Aunt Rody say?” she questioned in dismay.
“I will take care of that,” promised Aunt Affy, anticipating with dread the half hour’s scolding the permission would bring upon herself.
“You are making her a gad-about just like yourself,” the monologue would begin.
“Are you sure, Aunt Affy, dear?” asked Judith, anxiously.
“Yes, sure. Run away and put on your new gingham.”